Theodore Rex

The most eagerly awaited presidential biography in years, Theodore Rex tells the story of President Theodore Roosevelt in real time, reflecting the world as "TR" saw it. Full of cinematic detail, Theodore Rex moves with the exhilarating pace of a novel, yet it rides on a granite base of scholarship.

Colonel Roosevelt

Of all our great presidents, Theodore Roosevelt is the only one whose greatness increased out of office. When he toured Europe in 1910 as plain “Colonel Roosevelt,” he was hailed as the most famous man in the world. Crowned heads vied to put him up in their palaces. “If I see another king,” he joked, “I think I shall bite him.”

The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt

Described by the Chicago Tribune as "a classic," The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt stands as one of the greatest biographies of our time. The publication of The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt on September 14th, 2001, marked the 100th anniversary of Theodore Roosevelt becoming president.

Theodore Rex

The most eagerly awaited presidential biography in years, Theodore Rex tells the story of President Theodore Roosevelt in real time, reflecting the world as "TR" saw it. Full of cinematic detail, Theodore Rex moves with the exhilarating pace of a novel, yet it rides on a granite base of scholarship.

The Wilderness Warrior: Theodore Roosevelt and the Crusade for America

In this groundbreaking epic biography, Douglas Brinkley draws on never-before-published materials to examine the life and achievements of our "naturalist president." By setting aside more than 230 million acres of wild America for posterity between 1901 and 1909, Theodore Roosevelt made conservation a universal endeavor. This crusade for the American wilderness was perhaps the greatest U.S. presidential initiative between the Civil War and World War I.

The History of the Sunni and Shia Split: Understanding the Divisions within Islam

Different branches of the same religion are the exception more than the rule, and they have had a profound impact upon history. The schism between the Orthodox and Catholic Churches influenced relationships between nations across Europe, and religious intolerance based on different Christian faiths led to persecution and outright violence across the continent for centuries.

Mornings on Horseback

Winner of the 1982 National Book Award for Biography, Mornings on Horseback is the brilliant biography of the young Theodore Roosevelt. Hailed as a masterpiece by Newsday, it is the story of a remarkable little boy -- seriously handicapped by recurrent and nearly fatal attacks of asthma -- and his struggle to manhood.

A Passion for Nature: The Life of John Muir

"I am hopelessly and forever a mountaineer," John Muir wrote. "Civilization and fever and all the morbidness that has been hooted at me has not dimmed my glacial eye, and I care to live only to entice people to look at Nature's loveliness. My own special self is nothing". In Donald Worster's magisterial biography, John Muir's "special self" is fully explored as is his extraordinary ability, then and now, to get others to see the sacred beauty of the natural world.

Andrew Jackson: His Life and Times

The most famous American of his time, Andrew Jackson is a seminal figure in American history. The first "common man" to rise to the presidency, Jackson embodied the spirit and the vision of the emerging American nation; the term "Jacksonian democracy" is embedded in our national lexicon. With the sweep, passion, and attention to detail that made The First American a Pulitzer Prize finalist, historian H.W. Brands shapes a historical narrative that's as fast-paced and compelling as the best fiction.

Battle of Surigao Strait: Twentieth-Century Battles

Surigao Strait in the Philippine Islands was the scene of a major battleship duel during the Battle of Leyte Gulf. Because the battle was fought at night and had few survivors on the Japanese side, the events of that naval engagement have been passed down in garbled accounts. Anthony P. Tully pulls together all of the existing documentary material, including newly discovered accounts and a careful analysis of U.S. Navy action reports, to create a new and more detailed description of the action.

A. Lincoln: A Biography

In this important new biography, Ronald C. White, Jr. offers a fresh and fascinating definition of Lincoln as a man of integrity - what today's commentators are calling "authenticity" - whose internal moral compass is the key to understanding his life. Through meticulous research, utilizing recently discovered Lincoln letters, legal papers, and photographs, White depicts Lincoln as a person of intellectual curiosity, comfortable with ambiguity, and capable of changing his mind.

Eisenhower: A Life

Acclaimed historian Paul Johnson’s lively, succinct biography of Dwight D. Eisenhower explores how his legacy endures today In the rousing style he’s famous for, celebrated historian Paul Johnson offers a fascinating biography of Dwight D. Eisenhower, focusing particularly on his years as a five-star general and his two terms as president of the United States.

Publisher's Summary

The most eagerly awaited presidential biography in years, Theodore Rex begins by following new president Theodore Roosevelt as he takes his emergency oath of office in Buffalo, upon the assassination of President McKinley one hundred years ago. Theodore Rex, full of cinematic detail, moves with the exhilarating pace of a novel, yet it rides on a granite base of scholarship.

TR's speed of thought and action, and his total command of all aspects of presidential leadership, from bureaucratic subterfuge to manipulation of the press, make him all but invincible in 1904, when he wins a second term by a historic landslide. Surprisingly, this victory transforms him from a patrician conservative to a progressive, responsible between 1905 and 1908 for a raft of enlightened legislation.

Interspersed with many stories of Rooseveltian triumphs are some bitter episodes - notably a devastating lynching - that remind us of America's deep prejudices and fears. Theodore Rex does not attempt to justify TR's notorious action following the Brownsville Incident of 1906 - his worst mistake as president - but neither does this resolutely honest biography indulge in the easy wisdom of hindsight. It is written throughout in real time, reflecting the world as TR saw it. By the final chapter, as the great "Teddy" prepares to quit the White House, it will be a hard-hearted listener who does not share the sentiment of Henry Adams: "The old house will seem dull and sad when my Theodore has gone."

What the Critics Say

"Impeccably researched and beautifully composed, a dazzling portrait of the man....A book that is every bit as complex, engaging, and invigorating as the vibrant president it depicts." (Publishers Weekly)

Not every Audible book catches my immediate attention. In fact I have had to plod through several of them. Theordore Rex, however, caught my enthusiastic attention immediately and I could hardly put the book down (turn off my Audible player).

Of interest to an economics professor, this period of time was extremely active in the development of regulation of industry, anti-monopoly activites, and environmental consciousness. I had no idea just how active Roosevelt had been in these areas. Yet I am not a supporter of the term "robber barons" as the captains of industry in this time period have been labeled.

Listening to this book has been the most worthwhile time that I have spent in a long time.

If the other reviewer noticed, this is the second book of a planned trilogy, and Audible has the book they really wanted, about his time before the presidency.

This was a really good biography. I don't know much about Teddy, but I'm sure there were some things left out due to just needing to cover nearly 8 years in a few hours, some sections just felt rushed. But all in all, I greatly appreciated learning about the President and all of the long term benefits he provided this country.

Since Theodore Roosevelt's career was actually supposed to have been "over" when he was made vice-president (considered a career killing appointment back then) I found it amazing at how he stepped up to the plate and handled the situations of the day. He was an agressive statesmen and powerful figure. I found the narrative enthralling and educational. I look forward to reading the other two companion editions to help me round out the life of this great man. I highly recommend this book, only wish it had been an unabridged rendition.

Theodore Rex satisfied most of my criteria for a solidly good read/listen. It was entertaining. It put into context and perspective historical facts I had floating around after all those history classes. It peaked my interest in a new period of American and world history and gave me a focus for further reading.

I agree with previous reviewers who felt that some topics were covered thinly but also agree that nearly 8 years of a presidency is quite a lot to cover in a single volume. Discussions of the Panama Canal were thin indeed.

I recommend Theodore Rex to all who enjoy history, politics and biography. It definitely improved my drive time.

This second book in Morris's 3-part TR series covers Roosevelt's presidential years and how he dealt with numerous issues confronting the country: labor strikes and corporations; Cuba and Spain; Japan-China-Russia; Kaiser Wilhelm; building the Panama Canal; the Monroe Doctrine; environmental concerns; and banking matters, to name but a few. It ends as TR is handing over the reins to President Taft and is entering the post-presidential years of his life. For me, personally, the material was at times a little dry, but that reflects more on me than it reflects on the writer and the subject matter. I'm not an historian-- just a curious reader seeker a broader understanding of our country's development. I found David McCullough's book on TR a bit more enjoyable, but honestly, that's a matter of taste. Both writers are gifted and knowledgeable.

After listening to The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt I was super primed to get immediately into Theodore Rex. But within the first half-hour I was becoming very aggravated with the reader. He seemed to put way to much emphasis on every word, every sentence. As if each was THE most important he would ever utter. I contemplated quitting and just reading the book myself, but hung in there. And that is the advice I give to those contemplating listening to Rex. After an hour or so he calms down and does a good job through the rest of the book. He is particularly good as changing up his voice when reading quotes.

If you liked The Rise you will probably be disappointed at how short Rex feels. It covers only one-fifth or so of the time that The Rise does, and it is action packed, so it flys by. I'm delaying listening to book three just because I don't want it to be over yet! I can only imagine how the American people who loved President Roosevelt must have felt when he left the Presidency. This great book gave me a taste of that. I highly recommend it.

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